Brodie the Goldendoodle: A Furry Influencer Bringing Joy to Patients and Residents

Brodie the Goldendoodle has captured the hearts of millions on social media, but his true calling lies in bringing happiness to those who need it most. This beloved canine has become a regular visitor at healthcare facilities, spreading joy and comfort to patients and residents alike.

Unleashing Smiles and Spreading Cheer

A Paw-sitive Presence at Memorial Manor

Brodie's visit to Memorial Manor nursing home on Grandparents' Day was a testament to his ability to connect with people of all ages. Despite being a social media sensation with over 1 million followers on Instagram and 6.8 million on TikTok, Brodie's true passion lies in interacting with those who need a little extra love and attention.The nursing home's administrator, Jon Hennemrye, was thrilled to welcome Brodie to the facility. "Animal-assisted therapy is a huge activity here," he explained, "but those dogs are small compared to Brody, and not bringing the personality that he brings to the equation. That gets a lot of patients involved, especially the nonverbal ones that have a little more difficulty engaging in other activities."As Brodie made his rounds, every single person in the dining room wanted a photo with him and a chance to shower him with affection. "His demeanor was perfect for our patients in residence," Hennemyre said. "He was calm and he was more than patient. It took a while for him to make his rounds, but it was very heartfelt and it was very exciting to see all the happy faces of all the residents."

A Furry Friend for the Holidays

Brodie's visits to healthcare facilities are not limited to nursing homes. For the past couple of years, his owner, Cliff Brush, Jr., has brought him to the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital for the holidays and other special occasions."[Brush] has brought Brodie for the last couple of years to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital for the holidays and for a couple of other highlighted days, but we thought that it was important to spread the happiness," said Kim Carbo, director of community development and communications for the Memorial Foundation and the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation.Carbo emphasized the special connection between Brodie and the Memorial Healthcare System, as Brush was born at Memorial Regional Hospital. "He's a product of the Memorial Healthcare system," she said. "He was born there and now he resides pretty much in our backyard. We hold a special place in his heart now and I think that's a connection that will just continue to flourish. He puts a lot of smiles on our patients' faces and it goes a really long way."

A Serendipitous Encounter

Brodie's rise to fame as a social media influencer was never intentional. Brush never set out to turn his furry friend into an internet sensation, but people naturally gravitated towards Brodie's bubbly personality."Once we walked into the dining room, every single person sitting in there wanted a photo with Brody and wanted to kiss him," Hennemyre recalled. "His demeanor was perfect for our patients in residence. He was calm and he was more than patient. It took a while for him to make his rounds, but it was very heartfelt and it was very exciting to see all the happy faces of all the residents."Brodie's ability to connect with people, regardless of their age or circumstances, has made him a beloved figure in the healthcare community. From his humble beginnings as a Goldendoodle puppy to his current status as a social media star, Brodie's journey has been one of serendipity and pure joy.